Jewel POV

"I swear she's like a thorn in my back, that I can reach but I can't take out yet Gwen!"

I was in the library earlier, because I had nothing else to do, when Ms. Thing came in, loudly at that, looking around for absolutely nothing and just leaves after that. Slamming the door in the process!

"I still can't believe Aro's ex mistress is there."

"I understand the plan. I get it. But she's slowly driving me crazy. I don't know if it's because Aro and I have been "active" these last two days, that's why she's acting out, but I am the wrong person Gwen!" I exclaim, sitting up on the bed.
"I will hurt her. And don't get me started on the matching colors. I'm wearing yellow today, and guess what? She's in yellow!"

"That's really weird Jewel."

"I know! Then she acts as if we're in some competition. I'm not competing with anyone. I swear-"

"SIXTEEN MORE PEOPLE ARE DEAD!!!" I hear Aro shout, followed by the sound of a loud bang. I abruptly stand to my feet, Felix coming in the room.

"Gwen I gotta go. Something's up, I'll call you back."

"Okay sure. Be safe please!" I hang up the phone, after reassuring that I will.

"What's going on!?"

"There was another attack, a small town outside Rome." Felix tells me, as we leave the room.

When we entered the throne room, their usual table was now broken in pieces on the floor near the wall.

How do you break a table like that?

Aro kept pacing the floor in front of his throne, while Caius looked like he wanted to kill the man and woman being held on their knees by four guards. Even Marcus' usual dull face, held a bit of annoyance on it.

"I have already dealt with the Darlington issue. Finally! Things are calming down and now THIS!" We all watched on silently, knowing it wasn't wise to get in between Aro when he is this angry.

He told me not to.

He runs up to the man, grabbing his hand. He closes his eyes, only to slowly open back up, his face remaining blank.

He begins to pet his head, chuckling to himself.

"I don't see anything of the situation. Just like with the woman." He laughs more.

What's going on?

He suddenly stops laughing, ripping the man's head off.

I slap my hand over my mouth in shock. It's the first time I'm ever seeing him in action. A little overwhelming to say the least.

The woman begins to scream out for the man. Aro throwing his head aside like if it was nothing, before going over to her next.

I stare at the man's head, feeling like I needed to vomit.

"Jewel let's go." I push Felix's hand away, looking back over to Aro. The crazed look in his eyes had me thinking one thing..
So this is the Volturi King.

He grabs the woman's face, the guards letting her go, her body trembling in terror.
"Where are they?" He grits out.

"Aro-" Hera steps forward with a slightly nervous look on her face. I raise an eyebrow at her. Everyone looking towards her as well.

His head snaps to look at her, the look in his eyes, would cause anyone to cower in fear.

I realized she was trying to keep a neutral face, but I could see she was surprised that he was watching her like that.

He slowly stands up, tilting his head side to side, like if he was in wonder.
"If I'm correct Brothers. Hera has gotten individuals to speak faster than she has with this woman. Isn't that right?"

"Absolutely right brother." Caius replies.

He runs over to Hera, roughly grabbing her neck. Taking the woman by surprise.

"You have one more day Hera, or I will kill all of you." She grabs unto his arm, wincing in pain, as he tightens his hold.

"Y-yes Aro."

"Master Aro." Her eyes widen, tears filling them.

"Y-yes Master Aro."

I couldn't hide the smile that came on my face, watching her publicly be put in her place. Kali looking over to me smirking.

Not the time Jewel.

He pushes her away, her subordinates having to catch her, so she wouldn't fall.

"Take her back to the dungeon, burn that body, and YOU!" He points at Hera.
"One day."

Poor woman looked like she was about to cry.

The guards drag the crying woman out the door, Hera and her subordinates leaving right after.

Aro looks to me, his eyes void of any emotion.
"Stay with her." He tells Felix, glancing at me again, before walking back to his throne.

"Do we have any idea where they could be now?" He yells. We turn leaving out the room.

I knew I wouldn't be seeing him for the rest of the day.

I begin to walk slower, as I get to the portraits of us all, on the wall.

They look really good.

If I remember clearly, Carlisle is supposed to be in this picture. I think Aro favors him in a sense. But I don't think he'll ever admit it.

Next to their picture, was the ones of Marcus's past mate and Athenodora's portraits, that hanged on either side of mines.

I asked Aro a lot of times, to just let me do a portrait similar to the other Queens, but he insisted that it shows just how beautiful I am.

I remember the unveiling of it month before, after what felt like an eternity of posing. He literally threatened to kill the painter if it was horrible.

Flashback

We stood in the hallway, as the painter got ready to unveil the painting of me.

Aro said that he is a descendant of his late acquaintance  Francesco Solimena, who enjoyed painting them.

"If it is horrible, I will kill him." I hit his shoulder, and he rolls his eyes.

"I promise you Master Aro. It is as beautiful as she." The young man said with a thick Italian accent.

He holds unto the string, pulling it down. I cover my mouth with my hand, staring at the painting in awe.

Taking a step forward, left awestruck by the beauty of the painting.

"It's beautiful." I look over to the man.
"Thank you."
He smiles, bowing to me.

I look to Aro, the corner of his lips, rising slightly, as he watches the picture.

"I guess he won't die...today."

End of Flashback.

"Don't think for one second that you have won." I look ahead at Hera, who looked like she was on the brink of a breakdown. Her regular kept curls, looked like she passed her hand through it several times.

"Aro loves me. I simply messed up. I'll get her to talk. I will be queen." She glances at the picture, her eyes narrowing in anger.

"I will be Queen!" She repeats running off. Her subordinates delayed their departure as always, but this time the girl, Lya if I remember correctly. Slightly nodded her head towards me. As if acknowledging me before leaving.

I raise an eyebrow at that.
She's never bowed before.

"A special one isn't she?" I look behind me in surprise to find Athenodora there.

Her usual Volturi cape was no where to be found, but I was loving the new one.

Caius must have bought it for her. Or herself. Either way I'm loving it.

"Athenodora..umm..heading to the garden?" She smiles. Actually smiles!

"Coming back actually." She comes to stand next to me, gazing at the portraits. I didn't really know what to do. We've never been in such close proximity before.

"I apologize for my hostility towards you in the beginning." She says, turning to me.

"I-I-It's okay really. I know you are mourning your sisters' death. I kinda just showed up right after that. So...umm.. I understand." She hums softly, turning back to the portraits. Staring at mines' only this time.

"Sulpicia was a lot different from you." I look down at my hands.
"She was more on the quieter side. She knew Aro's love for power was more significant to his love for her; and his attachment with that woman, brought her much pain, but she kept silent." I look at her, listening.
"When he stopped summoning her, she believed he would finally seek her out again, but all remained the same."

She looks at me. Her eyes staring directly into mine's, and I couldn't seem to look away.

"You showed up, and it irritated me how he looked at you. The way he treats you, especially knowing how much she craved for that, and you naturally get that response from him. It amazes me how infatuated he is with you. Even in such a short time."

Her eyes scan my face, looking down at the very yellow dress I have on.

"You're like a breath of fresh air in this dead castle. And I've realized, that's why he loves you." I stand straighter, touched by her words.

Her lips tug up a little, turning back to look at the King's picture this time.
"They're not only power hungry monsters. Something we as their true mates have the pleasure to truly see."

"Indeed." I mutter softly, smiling as I looked at Aro.

"Visit the tower when you have a chance." I look at her caught off guard, by her invitation.
"I think it's time us Queens got to know each other." My lips spread into a bright smile, tears coming to my eyes.

"I'd love too." She looks at me, an amused expression on her face. Nodding to me, she turns and leaves. Corin and her guards right behind her.

I look to my team, smiles on all of their faces.

"She invited me to the tower!" I clap my hands in excitement.

Gosh I felt like I could ugly cry right now, and then bust out a dance move.

Looking back to the paintings, a fond smile on my face.

Acceptance from the oldest reigning Queen? 
I feel honored.